Mentally challenged girls raped in Jammu based NGO-run home

In a shocking incident, mentally-challenged girls, who were staying in a home being run by NGOs were allegedly repeatedly raped. Some girls were even taken outside, as per the preliminary investigations. So far, police have detained two people, who were managing the home, for questioning.

In a shocking incident, mentally-challenged girls, who were staying in a home being run by NGOs were allegedly repeatedly raped. Some girls were even taken outside, as per the preliminary investigations. So far, police have detained two people, who were managing the home, for questioning.

"A medical board, which examined the girls, has said the girls were subjected to sexual intercourse," said a senior official.

"The girls can't say what has happened to them, the way a normal girl would do," the official added.

Jammu SSP Atul Goel said two people, including chowkidar Angad Kumar and director Sudha Sharma, have been detained for questioning.

The girls are staying in Rotary Inner Wheel's Home for Mentally-Retarded Children at Channi Rama on the outskirts of the Jammu city. The home takes care of 34 mentally-challenged children, including 15 girls. Most of them are in the age group of 10-15 year. Some children are even from outside the state.

The home is locked round the clock and no one is authorised to take children out.

It's run jointly by NGOs Rotary International and Inner Wheel and receives huge amount of donation from general public.

"The preliminary report prepared by the Jammu deputy commissioner even shows that five girls were also taken out of the home. It's a serious matter and orders have been issued for a more detailed investigation," Jammu divisional commissioner Shantmanu told HT.

The lid over the illegal activity was blown off following a complaint received by the SSP, who forwarded it to Jammu deputy commissioner Ajeet Sahu. The DC constituted a team comprising an IAS officer, two gynaecologists and psychiatrists. The girls were medically examined. The inquiry report submitted to the DC clearly established the fact that girls were repeatedly raped.

"Some of the girls are borderline cases of being called mentally challenged. The inquiry committee interacted with them and as per the physiatrist, the statement of these girls could be taken as a coherent statement," said a senior official, wishing not to be named.

"The girls have confirmed that they were taken out," said an official.

According to sources, the report also establishes that there were many lacunas in running the home.

"It didn't even have proper visitor's book and anyone can take children out without even making an entry. It seems that the home was also a source of income for the office-bearers," said an official.